Deputy Prosecutor Evan Jones delivers the state's opening statement at the start of Jamison Rogayan's trial Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Whatcom County Courthouse in Bellingham. Rogayan is charged with four counts of second-degree rape, one count of indec Evan Abelleabell@bhamherald.com

Deputy Prosecutor Evan Jones delivers the state's opening statement at the start of Jamison Rogayan's trial Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Whatcom County Courthouse in Bellingham. Rogayan is charged with four counts of second-degree rape, one count of indec Evan Abelleabell@bhamherald.com

A total of 10 women reported sexual assaults by Rogayan, but the statute of limitations had expired in four cases, and one woman did not want to press charges.

The jury members deliberated for four days before filing into the courtroom around 4:20 p.m. Friday, with solemn and deflated expressions, to tell the judge they could not reach a verdict on any of the remaining charges: three counts of second-degree rape, one count of indecent liberties, and one count of unlawful imprisonment.

Prosecutors plan to bring the case to trial again, but only if the women are willing to take the witness stand a second time, said Eric Richey, the chief criminal deputy prosecutor.

“This is a strong case,” Richey said. “We believe our victims.”

Most of the jurors were in favor of convicting, Richey added, though the vote tally differed on different counts.

A tentative retrial date is scheduled for March 20. In the meantime Rogayan remains in jail, unable to post $500,000 bond.

In his closing argument, the prosecutor argued that the women had no motive to lie when they told their stories to a courtroom full of strangers.

Related stories from Bellingham Herald

The defense attorney, Alexander Ransom, countered that the women did have a motive: to support each other. After the allegations of rape surfaced on social media in September 2015, the women – who did not know each other beforehand – discussed their encounters with Rogayan on a secret Facebook page.

The defense saw that as evidence of witness collusion. The women testified that it was a safe place for them to share their experiences and get support. Both sides agree it was hearing the other stories that compelled the women to come forward to police.